The relationship between Angle type of occlusion and recorded Bennett angle values

Abstract

Statement of problem: The Bennett angle can be an important parameter to accurately record and program into an articulator during restorative procedures. Few data exist regarding the impact and association of a patient's occlusion types on their recorded Bennett angle values.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vivo study was to investigate the effect of occlusion type on recorded Bennett angle values.

Material and methods: This study included 98 participants (26.0 ±5.2 years) divided into 4 study groups: Angle class I; Angle class II, division 1; Angle class II, division 2; Angle class III. All recordings were obtained using an ultrasound mandibular recording device with 6 degrees of freedom and a clutch was attached to the mandible. On each participant, 3 protrusive, 3 left laterotrusive, and 3 right laterotrusive movements were recorded. The recording device's software automatically calculated Bennett angle for each participant's left and right mandibular fossae and the data were statistically analyzed.

Results: One-way ANOVA did not show significant differences among different Angle classes of occlusion for the Bennett angle values. The average Bennett angle value for all participants was 7.7 degrees.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that different Angle occlusion classifications do not appear to have an impact on recorded Bennett angle values. The average Bennett angle value in this study was found to be approximately 8 degrees. This information should be considered when programming average values into an articulator with respect to desired negative error (shorter cusp) during restoration fabrication.